Robert Rauschenberg – Late Series / Us Silkscreeners…

FAURSCHOU FOUNDATION at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice

A two-part presentation of works by Robert Rauschenberg: Late Series, and “Us Silkscreeners…” an exploration of Rauschenberg’s relationship with Andy Warhol

12 May -27 August 2017
www.faurschou.com | www.cini.it/en/foundation


To coincide with the 57th Venice Biennale 2017, Faurschou Foundation is pleased to present two historically important exhibitions at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini; “Us Silkscreeners…”, and Late Series.
The two presentations will provide visitors with in-depth insight into the later period of Robert Rauschenberg’s practice, as well as to give unique insight into his introduction to the practice of silkscreen printing.

“Us Silkscreeners…”, will focus on Rauschenberg’s and Warhol’s early silkscreen practice, bringing together two of their very first works, Rauschenberg’s Renascence and a piece by Warhol’s Dollar Bills Series. In the early ‘60s, both artists were experimenting with new techniques and in 1962 the artists had an inspirational meeting, where they discussed technique, and approach. Subsequently, both went on to produce works using silkscreen imagery from photography – a first for both artists.
This is the first time works chronicling the artists’ relationship have been brought together, and the exhibition will be complemented by a study room with film, books and further information. The exhibition marks the return of Rauschenberg works to Venice, where he was awarded a Golden Lion Award for his breakthrough practice with silkscreens in 1964.
The second part of the exhibition, Late Series, will depict how Rauschenberg used the transfer technique throughout his career, with key works from the late 80s, 90s and 2000s. Late Series will build on the story of the early silkscreens, presenting artworks from some of the most important later series by Rauschenberg, including Borealis, Urban Bourbon, Scenarios, and the last series before his death, Runts.

Both exhibitions will be accompanied by a catalogue with texts by various writers and illustrations. The catalogue accompanying “Us Silkscreeners…” will narrate the full story of the earliest silkscreens in contemporary art, as made by Rauschenberg and Warhol, and the Late Series will equally be telling the story of Rauschenberg’s later works.
Faurschou Foundation will also exhibit a series of Virtual Reality Artworks at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini with two major commissions by artists Christian Lemmerz and Paul McCarthy that will mark Khora Contemporary’s launch in Venice.
Further enquiries: Katrine Winther, Faurschou Foundation
katrine@faurschou.com / +45 33 91 41 31
Media enquiries: Claire Walsh, Brunswick Arts
Faurschoufoundation@brunswickgroup.com / +44 (0) 7980 727 296
Facebook: Faurschou.Foundation Instagram: @faurschou_foundation


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Notes to Editors
Faurschou Foundation:
Faurschou Foundation houses a collection of contemporary art and runs a dynamic programme at its spaces in Copenhagen North Harbour and Beijing’s art district, 798. Faurschou Foundation constantly develops and expands the collection, to use their programme to answer artistic need, and give their visitors access to works by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists. Since its launch in 2012 Faurschou Foundation has presented solo exhibitions of many of today’s leading practitioners and key historic figures, including Yoko Ono, Peter Doig, Ai Weiwei, Cai Guo-Qiang, Louise Bourgeois, Shirin Neshat, Gabriel Orozco, Danh Vo, and Bill Viola.

Robert Rauschenberg:
Robert Rauschenberg was the defining force in contemporary art for nearly sixty years, creating a wealth of art: painting, photography, sculpture, performance, and printmaking – working more varied than other artists of his time. For Rauschenberg, painting entailed not only using a brush, but also silkscreening, collaging, transferring, and imprinting, and he did so on the widest array of materials from canvas, board, and fabric to sheet metal, Plexiglas, plaster, and paper. He has been called a forerunner of virtually every postwar American art movement since Abstract Expressionism. However, Rauschenberg remained fiercely independent from any particular affiliation throughout his protean life.

Andy Warhol:
American Pop artist Andy Warhol has created some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. As famous for his quips as for his art. He variously mused that “art is what you can get away with” and “everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”. Warhol drew widely from popular culture and everyday subject matter, creating works like his 32 Campbell's Soup Cans (1962), Brillo pad box sculptures, and portraits of Marilyn Monroe, using the medium of silk-screen printmaking to achieve his characteristic hard edges and flat areas of colour. Known for his cultivation of celebrity, Factory studio (a radical social and creative melting pot), and avant-garde films like Chelsea Girls (1966), Warhol was also a mentor to artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His Pop sensibility is now standard practice, taken up by major contemporary artists such as Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami, and Jeff Koons, among countless others.